Paul exhorts the Christians in Thessalonica to “establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” I Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV). Although, if you look closely, Paul lays out the steps that God uses to establish your heart blameless. This may be through overwhelming hardship and suffering. However, it is God who does the work of finalizing the perfecting of each Christian’s heart. What is our part in this work? Well, for all who know Christ as Savior and Lord, we may yield to His working, or we may like a rebellious child struggle to do it our own way. Then like the prodigal son, we will one day come to the very end of our self. Most often, we are transformed step by step as outlined in II Corinthians 3:18.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord (albeit at times through a glass dimly),[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another (from glory to glory).[f] For this comes from the (working of the) Lord who is the Spirit.
Regardless of the amount of work that it takes, we will be fully transformed one day.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8
Establish Your Heart Blameless at the Coming of Our Lord Jesus
Jesus is coming again. Of this we can be certain as we have discussed over many weeks through the study of Daniel. Paul also lays this out. The entirety of the Bible proclaims this truth, just as it proclaimed His first coming to die on the cross and take the penalty of our sin upon His shoulder. He will return to rapture all those who accepted His gift of salvation with repentant humbled hearts, who acknowledge Him as the way the truth and the life.
We are declared righteous from the moment we are saved. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.
This is true. Yet, the work of perfecting us in love, so that our outward actions reflect our inward change is a work that is continuously being performed “so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
So, do not think your salvation secures your place in heaven and you can live as you want down here. Won’t happen. If you truly accepted Jesus Christ in your heart as Savior, He will establish and transform you, whatever it takes.
#1 Accepting the Word of God as from Him
I Thessalonians 213 And we also thank God constantly[d] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[e] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
So, step one is recognizing that the Bible, the Gospel Message is God’s words and not the words of men. God may use men to help to reveal His word to you; however, it is His words. The Holy Spirit is He who can make the blind see and gives the wisdom to understand. This one must recognize to grow spiritually. That also means the word cannot be compromised by one’s “feeling” or desire to change any part of it. It is eternally true and has the power to transform.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether. Psalm 19
As these verses point out, the Word of God has the power to revive the soul, make the simple minded wise, bring joy to the heart, enlighten one to purity, cleanse the soul, because they are absolute in truth and righteousness.
#2: The Role of Suffering To Establish Your Heart Blameless
Throughout scripture, suffering has been a part of cleansing. Not only does it awaken us to the depths of evil and sin; but it turns our eyes to focus on He who is righteous. It cleanses our heart.
I Thessalonians 2: For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,[f] 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last![g]
God has patiently waited. One day, all the cups of sin will have been filled. Never can He be accused of not giving everyone a chance to turn to Him. God permits sin to run its full course, so that neither Satan nor humans may say, He gave them no chance. As we see the depth of evil capable of the human heart, we realize we are in desperate need of a Savior. We cannot do it on our own. I could not see fully His righteousness until I saw the truth of what evil is in my own heart when I choose me first. As much evil as we see surrounding us, imagine if He took away His steadying hand of Grace for even a moment.
#3 The Reward of Witnessing
There was nothing sweeter nor more strengthening to Paul than to see the fruit of his labor. It made the suffering worthwhile just to see their faith. He put it this way.
I Thessalonians 2: 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
He had learned, there is no suffering too great for the salvation of one soul. Had this not been what Jesus demonstrated for all of us to see? Therein, God allows you to see the fruit of your labor at times to help establish your heart blameless
I Thessalonians 3: 7 for this reason, brothers,[b] in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God
God will Perfect You in Love and establish your Heart Blameless
I Thessalonians 3: 12 may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Whatever suffering, pains and sorrows you may be facing; look up your Savior draws nigh. This world is rapidly groaning with labor pains just as Jesus said it would in the end. Never forget, through it all He is working all things together for your God. Yet, a little while and He will return. All this life is but a moment in time compared to an eternity with Him. Imagine that! Me blameless. It is truly hard to imagine, but He has promised it so.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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